Methods and apparatus for taking a break after seamless transition between network conferences

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatus for taking a break after seamless transition between network conferences. In an embodiment, a method for taking a break after a transition between network conferences includes operations of attending a first network conference using a first conference state and a conferencing application, and displaying Up-Next conference status about a second network conference. The method also includes operations of receiving a request to enter a break mode after joining the second network conference, joining the second network conference using the first conference state and the conferencing application, and transmitting a break mode icon to participants in the second network conference.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application contains subject matter that may be related tothe subject matter in U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled:“METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYING UP-NEXT CONFERENCE STATUS FORSEAMLESS TRANSITION BETWEEN NETWORK CONFERENCES” (Attorney Docket No.1125-P0019US), filed on Sep. 30, 2020, and assigned to the assignee ofthe present application.

The present application also contains subject matter which may berelated to the subject matter in U.S. patent application Ser. No.______, entitled: “METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SEAMLESS TRANSITION BETWEENNETWORK CONFERENCES” (Attorney Docket No. 1125-P0020US), filed on Sep.30, 2020, and assigned to the assignee of the present application.

FIELD

The exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to the fieldof network communication. More specifically, the exemplary embodimentsof the present invention relate to methods and apparatus for seamlesstransition between network conferences.

BACKGROUND

With the increasing popularity of digital electronics and networkcommunications, networked conferences have become more popular. Forexample, distance learning, telehealth, tutoring, and/or trainingconferences are only few types of network conferences attended by users.

Typically, to attend conferences throughout the day, a user maintains alist or calendar of conference events to which the user plans to attend.Unfortunately, the user must constantly review the calendar, log in andout of conferences, and setup equipment, such as microphones and videoequipment for each conference. Thus, it is very easy for users to spenda lot of time on setup and conference switching. Within this constantback and forth to join new conferences, the user also needs to have sometime for breaks.

Therefore, it is desirable to have a mechanism that provides seamlessand time-efficient transitions between network conferences.

SUMMARY

In various embodiments, methods and apparatus are provided for seamlesstransition between network conferences. In an exemplary embodiment, aconference transition apparatus is provided that allows a user toparticipate in a current conference and to see Up-Next statusinformation about an upcoming conference. In an embodiment, the Up-Nextstatus information includes a start time of the upcoming conference andimages of participants that have already joined the upcoming conference.The user can then transition to the next conference by selecting a joinnext conference selector. This selection will cause the user to leavethe current conference and join the next conference using the sameclient application and conference state used in the previous conference,which greatly reduces the time to transition between conferences. Theuser can also transition to the next conference by selecting a breakselector. This selection will cause the user to leave the currentconference and join the next conference using the same clientapplication and conference state as before. However, the user's livevideo stream will be replaced with a break icon and the user'smicrophone will be muted indicating that the user is on a break. Afterthe break, the user can resume participation the newly joinedconference.

In an embodiment, a method is provided for taking a break after atransition between network conferences. The method includes operationsof attending a first network conference using a first conference stateand a conferencing application, and displaying Up-Next conference statusabout a second network conference. The method also includes operationsof receiving a request to enter a break mode after joining the secondnetwork conference, joining the second network conference using thefirst conference state and the conferencing application, andtransmitting a break mode icon to participants in the second networkconference.

In an embodiment, an apparatus is provided for taking a break after atransition between network conferences. The apparatus comprises atransceiver configured to communicate with a network server to attend afirst network conference utilizing a first conference state and aconferencing application, and a display screen that displays Up-Nextconference status about a second network conference. The apparatus alsocomprises a processor that performs operations of: receiving a requestto enter a break mode after joining the second network conference;joining the second network conference using the first conference stateand the conferencing application; and transmitting a break mode icon toparticipants in the second network conference.

In an embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable medium is providedon which are stored program instructions that, when executed by one ormore processors, cause the one or more processors to take a break aftera transition between network conferences by performing operations of:attending a first network conference using a first conference state anda conferencing application; displaying Up-Next conference status about asecond network conference; receiving a request to enter a break modeafter joining the second network conference; joining the second networkconference using the first conference state and the conferencingapplication; and transmitting a break mode icon to participants in thesecond network conference.

Additional features and benefits of the exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention will become apparent from the detailed description,figures and claims set forth below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be understoodmore fully from the detailed description given below and from theaccompanying drawings of various embodiments of the invention, which,however, should not be taken to limit the invention to the specificembodiments, but are for explanation and understanding only. This patentor application file contains at least one drawing executed in color.Copies of this patent or patent application publication with colordrawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment ofthe necessary fee.

FIG. 1 shows a diagram illustrating a communication network in which aconference transition apparatus is provided that allows an attendee toseamlessly transition between network conferences.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary detailed embodiment of a conference transitionapparatus that allows an attendee to seamlessly transition betweennetwork conferences.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary detailed embodiment of a conference server foruse with the conference transition apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary method for providing seamless conferencetransitions in accordance with various exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary detailed method for providing seamlessconference transitions in accordance with various exemplary embodiments.

FIGS. 6A-C show exemplary screen shots illustrating operation of aconference transition apparatus to provide seamless conferencetransitions in accordance with various exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 7 show exemplary screen shots illustrating operation of aconference transition apparatus to provide seamless conferencetransitions in accordance with various exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary detailed method for obtaining and displayingUp-Next conference status.

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary detailed method for taking a break during anetwork conference.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention disclose systems, methods, andapparatus for providing seamless transitions between networkconferences.

The purpose of the following detailed description is to provide anunderstanding of one or more embodiments of the present invention. Thoseof ordinary skills in the art will realize that the following detaileddescription is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any waylimiting. Other embodiments will readily suggest themselves to suchskilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure and/ordescription.

In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features of theimplementations described herein are shown and described. It will, ofcourse, be understood that in the development of any such actualimplementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions may be madein order to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliancewith application and business related constraints, and that thesespecific goals will vary from one implementation to another and from onedeveloper to another. Moreover, it will be understood that such adevelopment effort might be complex and time-consuming but wouldnevertheless be a routine undertaking of engineering for those ofordinary skills in the art having the benefit of embodiments of thisdisclosure.

Various embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the drawingsmay not be drawn to scale. Rather, the dimensions of the variousfeatures may be expanded or reduced for clarity. In addition, some ofthe drawings may be simplified for clarity. Thus, the drawings may notdepict all of the components of a given apparatus (e.g., device) ormethod. The same reference indicators will be used throughout thedrawings and the following detailed description to refer to the same orlike parts.

In accordance with the embodiments of present invention, the components,process steps, and/or data structures described herein may beimplemented using various types of operating systems, computingplatforms, computer programs, and/or general-purpose machines. Inaddition, those of ordinary skills in the art will recognize thatdevices of a less general-purpose nature, such as hardware devices,field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integratedcircuits (ASICs), or the like, may also be used without departing fromthe scope and spirit of the inventive concepts disclosed herein. Where amethod comprising a series of process steps is implemented by a computeror a machine and those process steps can be stored as a series ofinstructions readable by the machine or computer for execution. Theinstructions may be stored on a tangible medium such as a computermemory device, such as, but not limited to, magnetoresistive randomaccess memory (“MRAM”), phase-change memory, or ferroelectric RAM(“FeRAM”), flash memory, ROM (Read Only Memory), PROM (Programmable ReadOnly Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read OnlyMemory), Jump Drive, magnetic storage medium (e.g., tape, magnetic diskdrive, and the like), optical storage medium (e.g., CD-ROM, DVD-ROM,paper card and paper tape, and the like) and other known types ofprogram memory.

The term “system” or “device” is used generically herein to describe anynumber of components, elements, sub-systems, devices, packet switchelements, packet switches, access switches, routers, networks, computerand/or communication devices or mechanisms, or combinations ofcomponents thereof. The term “computer” includes a processor, memory,and buses capable of executing instruction wherein the computer refersto one or a cluster of computers, personal computers, workstations,mainframes, or combinations of computers thereof.

FIG. 1 shows a diagram illustrating a communication network 100 in whicha conference transition apparatus (CTA) 108 is provided that allows auser to seamlessly transition between network conferences.

The communication network 100 comprises user equipment (UE) 102 andconference server 104 that are configured to communicate utilizing acommunication network 106. In an embodiment, the communication network106 comprises a wired communication network, a wireless communicationnetwork, or a combination of wired and wireless communication networks.The conference server 104 is configured to communicate over the network106 to facilitate network conferences between multiple user devices ofvarious types (e.g., desk-top computers. lap-top computers, tablets,smart phones, etc.) using any type of network protocol to provide securenetwork conferences in accordance with various exemplary embodiments.

In an embodiment, the user equipment 102 comprises the conferencetransition apparatus 108. The CTA 108 operates to provide seamlesstransition between network conferences. During operation, the user ofuser equipment 102 participates in a current network conference 110 thatis facilitated by the server 104. For example, the user equipment 102utilizes a client application to participate in the current conference.During this conference, the CTA 108 accesses a calendar of the user todetermine a conference identifier of the next conference the user isscheduled to attend. The CTA 108 transmits a conference inquiry 112 tothe conference server 104. The conference inquiry requests informationabout the upcoming conference identified by the conference identifier.The conference server 104 responds to the conference inquiry bytransmitting conference status 114. The conference status 114 identifiesthe status of the upcoming conference and provides images of conferenceattendees that have already joined the upcoming conference.

The CTA 108 receives the conference status 114 and displays thisinformation to the user. In an embodiment, the status information isdisplayed a short time before the start time of the upcoming conference.For example, a display 118 of the UE 102 illustrates how the statusinformation is displayed to the user. The display 118 includes aconference display area 120 that displays information about the currentconference 110. The display 118 also includes an Up-Next status area 124that displays details of the next conference. These details include, butare not limited to, the conference host, conference topic, start time,and any other suitable details. The display 118 also includes a nextconference participant area 126 that displays images of participantsthat have already joined the next conference. The display 118 alsoincludes a join next conference selector 128 and a join with breakselector 130. These selectors allow the user to seamlessly join the nextconference with or without a break. The display 118 also includesconference controls 132 and a break/resume selector 134. The conferencecontrols 132 provide a variety of controls that can be used adjustconference settings while participating in a conference. Thebreak/resume selector 134 allows a user to take a break during a currentconference and to resume participation in that conference when the breakis over.

After displaying information about the next conference to the user, theCTA 108 receives user input that indicates the action to be taken. Forexample, the user enters user input using a mouse or keyboard. In anembodiment, the user input activates either the join next conferenceselector 128 or the join with break selector 130. If the user activatesthe join next conference selector 128, the CTA 108 transmits a joinrequest 116 to the server 104 to join the next conference using the sameconference state and current client application. In an embodiment, theconference state comprises settings for the microphone and camera thatwere used for the previous conference. These settings are stored as theconference state and used for the next conference to provide a seamlesstransition to the next conference from the previous conference. Afterjoining the next conference, the user's microphone is muted. By usingthe same client application to join the next conference, the transitionbecomes seamless since it is not necessary to remove and reload theclient application to join the next conference.

In another embodiment, the user can transition to the next conference byselecting the join with break selector 130. In this mode, the user joinsthe upcoming conference with the same state and same client applicationused in the previous conference and with the microphone placed in themute mode. However, in break mode, the live video stream of the user isreplaced with a break icon informing the conference participants of thenext conference that the user is currently on break. This allows theattendees of the upcoming conference to know that the user will beparticipating shortly but is taking a break. When the user returns fromthe break, the user can simply select the break/resume selector 134,which allows the user to resume participating in the next conference byreplacing the break icon with the live video stream of the user. Thebreak/resume selector 134 can also be used to allow the user to take abreak during a current conference. In this case, when selecting thebreak/resume selector 134 the user's live video stream is replaced withthe break icon and the microphone is muted. When the user returns fromthe break, the user again selects the break/resume selector 134 toresume participation in the current conference.

Therefore, in various an exemplary embodiments, the conferencetransition apparatus 108 allows a user to participate in a currentconference and see status information about an upcoming conference. Thestatus information includes a start time of the upcoming conference andimages of participants that have already joined the upcoming conference.The user can then seamlessly transition to the next conference byselecting the join next conference selector 128, as illustrated in thedisplay 118. This selection will cause the user to leave the currentconference and join the next conference using the same conference stateand same client application. The user can also transition to the nextconference by selecting the join with break selector 130, as illustratedin the display 118. This selection will cause the user to leave thecurrent conference and join the next conference using the sameconference state and same client application. However, the user's livevideo stream will be replaced with a break icon and the user'smicrophone will be muted. After the break, the user can resumeparticipation in the new conference by selecting the break/resumeselector 134.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary detailed embodiment of a conference transitionapparatus (CTA) 200 that allows an attendee to seamlessly transitionbetween network conferences. For example, the CTA 200 is suitable foruse as the conference transition apparatus 108 shown in FIG. 1. The CTA200 comprises processor 202, calendar interface 204, device interface206, instructions 208, memory 210, and transceiver 212 all connected tocommunicate over bus 214. The processor 202 executes the instructions208 and utilizes the memory 210 and other functional blocks of the CTA200 to perform the operations described herein.

During operation, the processor 202 receives user input 218 (e.g., mouseor keyboard inputs), and based on the user input, controls thetransceiver 212 to join a current conference during which conferenceaudio and video signals 220 are exchanged with other conferenceparticipants. For example, a client application 228 is downloaded andused to conduct the current conference. During the current conference,the processor 202 controls the device interface 206 to communicate witha display screen, microphone, and camera. For example, the deviceinterface 206 outputs a display signal 214 that is displayed on thedisplay screen. The device interface 206 also receives an audio signal230 from a microphone and a video signal 232 from a camera.

In an embodiment, the processor 202 communicates with the calendarinterface 204 to access a user calendar to obtain information aboutconferences the user is scheduled to attend. The conference informationincludes conference identifiers that identify each upcoming conference.For example, the calendar interface 204 communicates with the user'scalendar application (e.g., Google, Yahoo, Outlook, or others) oversignal path 216 to obtain a conference identifier and start time for thenext scheduled conference. From the calendar information, the processor202 generates a server request 222 that includes the conferenceidentifier. The request 222 is transmitted to a conference server toobtain information about the upcoming conference. The conference serverresponds with a server response 224 that includes information about theupcoming conference. For example, the information includes thename/image of the conference host and images of conference participantsthat have already joined the upcoming conference.

In an embodiment, the processor 202 is aware of the start time of theupcoming conference. When there is less than five minutes until thestart time of the upcoming conference, the processor 202 controls thedevice interface 206 to output a display signal 214 to displayinformation about the upcoming conference on a user display screen. Forexample, the device interface 206 displays information about the currentconference on the display screen 118 using display signal 214. Theinformation about the current conference includes images 122 of thecurrent participants. The processor 202 controls the device interface206 to display images of participants 126 that have already joined theupcoming conference and the status 124 of the upcoming conference at atop portion of the display screen 118. It should be noted that theprocessor 202 can display the status information of the upcomingconference at any time and that the user can change the time when thestatus of the upcoming conference is displayed. Furthermore, theinformation can be presented on the user's display screen using anydisplay technique, such as scrolling, wiping, fading in/out, or anyother display technique.

The user has the option to seamlessly transition to the next conferenceby providing user input, for instance, by selecting the join NEXTselector 128 on the display. The user may also take a break by selectingthe join with break selector 130 on the display. When selecting the joinNEXT selector 128, the processor 202 receives this user input andgenerates a join request (e.g., server request 222) that is transmittedto the conference server to allow the user to join the upcomingconference. When joining the upcoming conference, the user joins theconference using the same client application 228 and current conferencestate 226, which includes the settings for the audio and video equipmentof the user's equipment. The processor 202 maintains the state 226 andthe client application 228 in the memory 210 so that thesesettings/application do not have to be reset or reloaded when joiningthe new conference. In addition, once the new conference is joined themicrophone is placed in a mute mode so that the audio signal 230 ismuted.

In another embodiment the user can join the upcoming conference but takea break by selecting the join with break selector 130. When theprocessor receives this user input, the processor generates the joinrequest as before using the same client application 228 and conferencestate 226. The processor 202 controls the conference microphone to placeit in a mute mode. The processor 202 replaces the live video stream 232from the camera of the user equipment with a break icon (or other image)that is transmitted to other participants indicating that the user is ona break. When the user finishes the break, the user provides input tothe processor 202, by selecting the break/resume selector 134, whichre-enables the user's live video stream 232 to be transmitted so thatthe user can participate in the newly joined conference.

In various exemplary embodiments, the CTA 200 performs at least thefollowing operations to provide seamless transition between networkconferences.

1. Join a first conference using a client application and conferencestate that are saved in a memory of the user device.

2. Obtain calendar information that identifies an upcoming secondconference.

3. Wait until a selected time interval before the start of the upcomingsecond conference. For example, wait until five minutes before the startof the upcoming conference.

4. Transmit a status request to a conference server that requestsinformation about the upcoming second conference. The status requestrequests information, such as the name of the host and images ofparticipants that have already joined the upcoming conference.

5. Display the information about the upcoming conference to the userduring the current conference.

6. Receive a “join NEXT” input from the user that indicates that theuser wants to join the upcoming conference. The current clientapplication and conference state are maintained when joining theupcoming conference to provide a seamless transition and the microphoneis muted.

7. Receive a “join with break” input from the user that indicates thatthe user wants to join the upcoming conference but wants to take abreak. The current client application and conference state aremaintained when joining the upcoming conference to provide a seamlesstransition and the microphone is muted. The user's live video stream isreplaced with a break icon that is transmitted to the attendees of theupcoming conference.

8. After returning from the break, the user provides user input (e.g.,selects the break/resume selector 134) to resume participation in thenewly joined conference. The transmitted break icon is replaced with theuser's live video stream.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary detailed embodiment of a conference server300. For example the conference server 300 is suitable for use as theconference server 104 shown in FIG. 1. The conference server comprises aconference processor 302, transceiver 304, instructions 306, memory 308,and a conference status memory 310, all connected to communicate overbus 312.

During operation, the conference processor 302 executes instructions 306and utilizes the memory 308 to perform the operations of the conferenceserver described herein. The transceiver 304 communicates with networkparticipants using a network, such as the network 106 shown in FIG. 1.The transceiver 304 receives server requests 316 from networkparticipants and processes these requests to enable network conferencesbetween the network participants. For example, during a networkconference, audio and video signals 314 are exchanged between theconference participants.

During operation, the conference server 300 facilitates a networkconference between multiple participants. The conference server 300 alsomaintains conference status 310, which describes current and upcomingnetwork conferences. For example the conference status 310 describesinformation about an upcoming conference, such as a conferenceidentifier, the name/image of the conference host, the topic of theconference, the invited participants to the conference, and theparticipants that have already joined the conference.

In an embodiment, user equipment, such as user equipment 102 shown inFIG. 1, participates in a current network conference. The user equipmentcomprises the CTA 200 that sends a request 316 to the conference serverrequesting status of an upcoming conference. The request includes aconference identifier and is received by the transceiver 304 and passedto the conference processor 302. The conference processor 302 uses theidentifier to access the conference status 310 to retrieve the requestedinformation. The conference processor 302 transmits the requestedinformation using the transceiver 304 by generating a server response318 that is sent to the requesting user equipment. In an embodiment, thestatus information includes the name, start time, host name/image,participant names/images, and names/images of participants that havealready joined the upcoming conference. Therefore, in accordance withthe various embodiments of the invention, it is possible for an attendeeof a current conference to request status information concerning anupcoming conference. The status information is used to allow therequesting attendee to seamlessly transition from the current conferenceto the upcoming conference.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary method 400 for providing seamless conferencetransitions in accordance with various exemplary embodiments. Forexample, in an embodiment, the method 400 is performed by the conferencetransition apparatus 108 shown in FIG. 1 or the CTA 200 shown in FIG. 2

At block 402, a user joins a conference. For example, the user controlsthe user equipment 102 to communicate with the server 104 to join anetwork conference. In an embodiment, a conference client application isdownloaded and used to allow the user to participate in the currentconference.

At block 404, the user participants in the current conference. Forexample, the user of UE 102 participates in a current conference usingthe conference client application as indicated at 110.

At block 406, during the current conference, status informationregarding an upcoming conference is displayed to the user. The statusinformation includes the time of the conference, the name of theconference host, and images of conference attendees that have alreadyjoined the upcoming conference. For example, the CTA 108 obtainsinformation about the upcoming conference and displays the nextconference details 124 and next conference participants 126 on thedisplay screen 118.

At block 408, the user is prompted to choose whether to join the nextconference with or without a break. For example, the join NEXT selector128 and the join with break selector 130 are displayed to the user, asshown in the display screen 118.

At block 410, a determination is made as to whether the user willseamlessly join the upcoming conference. For example, the user views adisplay of upcoming conference status information during the pendingconference. The user can select to join the upcoming conference in aseamless fashion where the client application and state of the currentconference is maintained when the user joins the upcoming conference.The user can also join the upcoming conference and then take a break. Ifthe user decides not to join the upcoming conference, the methodcontinues back to block 404 where the user continues to participate inthe current conference. If the user decides to join the upcomingconference, the method continues to block 412. If the user wishes tojoin the upcoming conference and take a break, the method proceeds toblock 414.

At block 412, the user seamlessly joins the upcoming conference. Forexample, the user selects the next conference selector 128 to seamlesslyjoin the upcoming conference. The microphone and video settings of theuser's equipment are maintained and the same client application is usedwhen joining the upcoming conference. After joining the conference, theuser's microphone is placed in the mute state. The method then proceedsto block 404 where the user participates in the newly joined conference.

At block 414, the user seamlessly joins the upcoming conference and thentakes a break. For example, the user selects the join with breakselector 130 to seamlessly join the upcoming conference and then take abreak. The microphone and video settings of the user's equipment aremaintained and the same client application is used when joining theupcoming conference. After joining the conference, the microphone isplaced in the mute state and a break icon is transmitted in place of theuser's live video stream.

At block 416, the user takes a break and when returning provides userinput that indicates that the break is over. The user's live videostream is transmitted allowing the participants of the upcomingconference to see the user. The user's microphone is also unmuted. Themethod then proceeds to block 404 where the user participants in thenewly joined conference.

Thus, the method 400 describes operations for seamless conferencetransitions in accordance with various exemplary embodiments. It shouldbe noted that the operations of the method 400 are exemplary and notlimiting of the scope of the embodiments. Furthermore the operations ofthe method 400 can be changed, deleted, rearranged, added to, orotherwise modified within the scope of the embodiments.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary detailed method 500 for providing seamlessconference transitions in accordance with various exemplary embodiments.For example, in an embodiment, the method 500 is performed by the CTA108 shown in FIG. 1 or the conference transition apparatus 200 shown inFIG. 2.

At block 502, a user logs into a conference system. For example, theuser of the UE 102 logs into the conference server 104.

At block 504, conference information is obtained from a user's calendar.For example, if the user maintains a calendar, such as an Outlook orGoogle calendar, information about upcoming conferences is obtained fromthe calendar. For example, the processor 202 controls the calendarinterface 204 to access a calendar maintained by the user. The calendarincludes conference identifiers for upcoming conferences that the useris scheduled to join.

At block 506, the user joins a network conference. For example, the UE102 communicates with the network server 104 to join a networkconference. For example, a client application 228 is downloaded to theuser equipment 102 and used to allow the user to join the networkconference.

At block 508, the user participates in the conference. For example, theuser participates in the current conference, as indicated at 110.

At block 510, a decision is made by the user whether or not to take abreak. For example, the user can select a break/resume selector 134 asuser input to the UE 102. If the user decides to take a break andselects the selector 134, the method proceeds to block 526. If the userdoes not want a break the method proceeds to block 512.

At block 512, a determination is made as to whether the time remainingbefore the next scheduled conference (e.g., Up-Next) is less than aselected time interval (TI). For example, the time interval can be fiveminutes or any other desired time interval. In an embodiment, theprocessor 202 is aware of the user's conference schedule obtained fromthe user's calendar and determines if the time to the next scheduledconference is less than the selected TI. For example, if the TI is fiveminutes and there is less than five minutes to the next conference, themethod proceeds to block by 514. If the time until the next conferenceis greater than the selected TI, the method proceeds back to block 508.

At block 514, a request for upcoming conference information is made tothe conference server. The request includes a request for the name ofthe host and video images of the conference participants that havealready joined the upcoming conference. For example, the processor 202generates the request to include the conference identifier and controlsthe transceiver 212 to transmit the request 222 to the network server.The server transmits a server response 224 that includes the requestedinformation. This information is then displayed to the user, forexample, as part of the next conference details 124 and the nextconference participant images 126.

At block 516, a decision is made as to whether or not to join the nextconference. If the user decides not to join the next conference, themethod proceeds to block 508 where the user participates in the currentconference. If the user decides to join the next conference, the methodproceeds to block 518.

At block 518, the user exits from the current conference. For example,if the user is a participant of the current conference, the user simplyleaves the current conference. If the user is a host of the currentconference, the user performs any necessary operations to end thecurrent conference.

At block 520, the conference state and client application are maintainedwhen the user leaves or ends the current conference. For example, theconference state includes the microphone settings and the camerasettings utilized by the user in the previous conference. The processor202 stores this state 226 information in the memory 210. The clientapplication 228 used for the previous conference is also maintained inthe memory 210.

At block 522, the user joins the next conference using the same clientapplication 228 and with the conference state 226 that was stored fromthe previous conference. The user's microphone is muted after joiningthe next conference. For example, the processor 202 executes the clientapplication 228 to communicate with the network server 104 to join orhost the next conference. Since the same conference state 226 and clientapplication 228 are utilized, the transition to the next conference isseamless, which is efficient and reduces transition time.

At block 524, a determination is made as to whether the user wants totake a break before joining the next conference. For example, the usermay have selected the join with break selector 130 when joining the nextconference. If the user did not select the join with break selector 130,the method proceeds to block 508 where the user participates in thenewly joined conference. If the user did select the join with breakselector 130, the method proceeds to block 526.

At block 526, the user's audio signal 230 is muted in the user's livevideo stream 232 is replaced with a break icon that is transmitted toparticipants of the next conference. For example, the break icon couldbe a coffee cup or other icon that indicates that the user is taking abreak.

At block 528, a determination is made as to whether or not the break isover. If the break is not over, the method proceeds back to block 526.If the user provides input to indicate that the break is over, such asselecting the break/resume selector 134, the method proceeds to block530.

At block 530, the user's microphone audio signal 230 is unmuted and thebreak icon is changed to transmit the user's live video stream 232 toallow the user to participate in the newly joined conference. The methodthen proceeds to block 508.

Thus, the method 500 describes operations for providing seamlessconference transitions. For example, in an embodiment, the methodperforms operations for transitioning between network conferences. Themethod comprises attending a first network conference using a firstconference state and a conferencing application, and displaying, on adisplay screen, Up-Next conference status comprising a meeting time fora second network conference and images of attendees that have joined thesecond network conference. The method also comprises joining the secondnetwork conference using the first conference state and the conferencingapplication. It should be noted that the operations of the method 500are exemplary and not limiting of the scope of the embodiments.Furthermore the operations of the method 500 can be changed, deleted,rearranged, added to, or otherwise modified within the scope of theembodiments.

FIGS. 6A-C show exemplary screen shots illustrating operation of aconference transition apparatus to provide seamless conferencetransitions in accordance with various exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 6A shows a screen shot 600 illustrates a current conference 610 inwhich Up-Next status 602 is displayed when the time for the nextscheduled conference is less than a selected time interval from thecurrent time. The Up-Next status 602 includes a join selector 604 and ajoin with break selector 606. The screen shot 600 also illustrates anUp-Next participant area 608 that displays user images of participantsthat have already joined the next conference.

FIG. 6B shows the Up-Next status 602 display. In an embodiment, theUp-Next status 602 comprises conference details 612, such as conferencetime and host name. The Up-Next status 602 also comprises a host image614 and the join 604 and join with break 606 selectors.

FIG. 6C shows a screen shot 616 that is presented when the join withbreak selector 606 is selected. In this case, the user seamlessly joinsthe next conference but the user's transmitted live video stream isreplaced with the break icon 618. After completing the break, the usercan select the break/resume selector 134 to return to the newly joinedconference. In this case, the transmitted break icon 618 is replacedwith the user's live video stream.

FIG. 7 show exemplary screen shots illustrating operation of aconference transition apparatus to provide seamless conferencetransitions in accordance with various exemplary embodiments. Forexample, the screen shots illustrated in FIG. 7, demonstrate theoperation of a user transitioning to a new conference after selectingthe join selector 604 shown in FIG. 6A.

The screen shot 702 illustrates a first conference in which the userparticipates. The display of the first conference 702 includes a displayof up-NEXT status 710 that provides status details of a next conference704. The display of the first conference 702 also includes images 708 ofparticipants that have already joined the next conference 704. Afterselecting the join selector 604, the user seamlessly joins the nextconference 704. For example, the seamless transition occurs because thenext conference 704 is joined using the same conference state and clientapplication that were saved from the first conference 702. Whenseamlessly joining the next conference 704, a “wiping” display effect isutilized to wipe the first conference 702 off the display andsimultaneously wipe the next conference 704 onto the display.

In an embodiment, the user's display is updated to show the transitionfrom the first conference 702 to the next conference 704 using a wipingeffect. For example, as illustrated in the screen shot 706, the firstconference 702 is wiped away in the wipe direction (e.g., right to left)and the next conference 704 is wiped onto the screen. It should be notedthat the wiping display effect is exemplary and that any other displayeffect or technique can be utilized to display the seamless transitionfrom the first conference 702 to the next conference 704.

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary detailed method 800 for obtaining anddisplaying Up-Next conference status. For example, in an embodiment, themethod 800 describes operations at blocks 802-808 that are performedwithin the block 514 shown in FIG. 5.

At block 512, a determination is made as to whether the time remainingbefore the next scheduled conference is less than a selected timeinterval (TI). For example, the time interval can be five minutes or anyother desired time interval. In an embodiment, the processor 202 isaware of the user's conference schedule obtained from the user'scalendar and determines if the time to the next scheduled conference isless than the selected TI. If the time to the next conference is lessthan the selected TI, the method proceeds to block by 802. If the timeuntil the next conference is greater than the selected TI, the methodproceeds back to block 508.

At block 802, the conference identifier is obtained from the Up-Nextconference information that is retrieved at block 504. For example, theprocessor 202 retrieves Up-Next conference information from a user'scalendar or other database that includes information and times forconferences that the user desires to attend. For example, the processor202 controls the calendar interface 204 to obtain the user's Up-Nextconference information from the user's calendar. For example, thecalendar information may describe a first conference scheduled for 1 pmand a second conference scheduled for 2 pm. Each conference has anassociated start time and identifier. When the user is participating inthe first conference, the Up-Next conference is the second conferencescheduled for 2 pm.

At block 804, a request for status information for the Up-Nextconference is made to a conference server or other entity with knowledgeof the Up-Next conference. The request includes the conferenceidentifier associated with the Up-Next conference. For example, theprocessor 202 generates the request to include the Up-Next conferenceidentifier and controls the transceiver 212 to transmit the request to aconference server as part of a server request 222.

At block 806, the conference status information of the Up-Nextconference is received. In an embodiment, the conference servertransmits the Up-Next conference status information to the user'sdevice. For example, the transceiver 212 receives the Up-Next conferencestatus in a server response 224 and passes this information to theprocessor 202. In an embodiment, the Up-Next conference status includesthe name/image of the conference host, topic of the conference, list ofinvited attendees, and name/image of attendees that have already joinedthe Up-Next conference.

At block 808, the status of the Up-Next conferences is displayed to theuser. For example, the processor 202 controls the device interface 206to display the Up-Next conference status on a display of the user'sequipment. In an embodiment, the Up-Next conference status that isdisplayed includes the Up-Next status (e.g., Up-Next status 710) and theUp-Next participants 708 that have already joined the Up-Nextconference. The method then proceeds to block 516.

Thus, the method 800 describes operations for retrieving and displayingUp-Next conference status. In an embodiment, the method 800 performsoperations for displaying Up-Next conference status. The operationscomprise attending a first network conference, obtaining a meetingidentifier and a meeting time for a second network conference,requesting conference status information for the second networkconference based on the meeting identifier, wherein the conferencestatus information includes images of attendees that have joined thesecond network conference, receiving the conference status information,and displaying Up-Next conference status during the first networkconference, wherein the Up-Next conference status comprises the meetingtime and the images of the attendees that have joined the second networkconference.

It should be noted that the operations of the method 800 are exemplaryand not limiting of the scope of the embodiments. Furthermore theoperations of the method 800 can be changed, deleted, rearranged, addedto, or otherwise modified within the scope of the embodiments.

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary detailed method 900 for taking a break after aseamless transition between network conferences. For example, in anembodiment, the method 900 describes operations at blocks 902-909 thatare performed within the blocks 526, 528, and 530 shown in FIG. 5.

At block 902, a decision to take a break during a current conference orwhen joining an Up-Next conference has been made. For example, block 902is entered from block 510 when a decision is made to take a break duringa current conference. Block 902 also is entered when a decision to takea break is made when joining an Up-Next conference at block 524. Thedecision to take a break is determined from user input, such as when theuser selects the join with break selector 606. When the user input totake a break is received, the audio signal 230 from the audio device(microphone) is muted. In an embodiment, the device interface 206 blocksthe audio signal 230 when the microphone is muted.

At block 904, the live video stream transmitted from the user'sequipment is replaced with a break icon. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 6C, the break icon 618 replaces the user's live video stream. In anembodiment, the processor 202 obtains the break icon image from thememory 210 and replaces the live video stream 232 from the camera withthis icon image.

At block 906, the break icon is transmitted in place of the user's livevideo stream. For example, the processor 202 controls the transceiver212 to transmit the break icon during the current conference or thenewly joined conference instead of the user's live video stream.

At block 908, a determination is made as to whether the break is over.For example, the user provides user input to indicate that the break isover. In an embodiment, the user selects the break/resume selector 134to indicate that the break is over. If the user indicates that the breakis not over, the method proceeds to block 906. If the user indicatesthat the break is over, the method proceeds to block 910.

At block 910, the break icon is replaced with the user's live videostream. In an embodiment, the processor 202 replaces the break icon withthe user's live video stream 232 from the camera.

At block 912, the user's live video stream is transmitted in place ofthe break icon. For example, the processor 202 controls the transceiver212 to transmit the user's live video stream during the currentconference or the newly joined conference instead of the break icon.

At block 914, the audio signal 230 from the audio device (microphone) isunmuted. In an embodiment, the processor 202 controls the deviceinterface 206 to allow the audio signal 230 to be transmitted during theconference. The method then proceeds to block 508 shown in FIG. 5.

Thus, the method 900 describes operations for taking a break after aseamless transition between network conferences. In an embodiment, amethod is provided for taking a break after a transition between networkconferences. The method includes operations of attending a first networkconference using a first conference state and a conferencingapplication, and displaying Up-Next conference status about a secondnetwork conference. The method also includes operations of receiving arequest to enter a break mode after joining the second networkconference, joining the second network conference using the firstconference state and the conferencing application, and transmitting abreak mode icon to participants in the second network conference. Itshould be noted that the operations of the method 900 are exemplary andnot limiting of the scope of the embodiments. Furthermore the operationsof the method 900 can be changed, deleted, rearranged, added to, orotherwise modified within the scope of the embodiments.

The exemplary embodiments described herein are implemented usingcustomized hard-wired logic, one or more ASICs or FPGAs, firmware and/orprogram logic which in combination with a computer system causes orprograms the disclosed apparatus to be a special-purpose machine.According to one embodiment, the operations described herein areperformed by a processor or computer executing one or more sequences ofone or more instructions contained in memory. Such instructions may beread into memory from another storage medium. Execution of the sequencesof instructions contained in memory causes a processor to perform theprocess steps described herein. In alternative embodiments, hard-wiredcircuitry may be used in place of or in combination with softwareinstructions.

The term “storage media” as used herein refers to any non-transitorymedium that stores data and/or instructions that cause a machine tooperate in a specific fashion. Such storage media may comprisenon-volatile media and/or volatile media. Non-volatile media includes,for example, optical or magnetic disks, such as memory 404 orinstructions memory 412. Volatile media includes dynamic memory. Commonforms of storage media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexibledisk, a hard disk, a solid state drive, a magnetic tape, or any othermagnetic data storage medium, a CD-ROM, any other optical data storagemedium, any physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, andan EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, an NVRAM, any other memory chip or cartridge.

Storage media is distinct from but may be used in conjunction withtransmission media. Transmission media participates in transferringinformation between storage media. For example, transmission mediaincludes coaxial cables, copper wire, and fiber optics. Transmissionmedia can also take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as thosegenerated during radio-wave and infra-red data communications.

Various forms of media may be involved in carrying one or more sequencesof one or more instructions to a disclosed processor for execution. Forexample, the instructions may initially be carried on a magnetic disk ora solid-state drive of a remote computer. The remote computer can loadthe instructions into its dynamic memory and send the instructions overa telephone line using a modem. A local modem can receive the data onthe telephone line and use an infra-red transmitter to convert the datato an infra-red signal. An infra-red detector can receive the datacarried in the infra-red signal and appropriate circuitry can place thedata on a data bus, for instance bus 214, which carries the data tomemory 212, from which processor 202 retrieves and executes theinstructions. The instructions may optionally be stored on a storagedevice either before or after execution by processor 202.

The exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes variousprocessing steps described herein. The steps of the embodiment may beembodied in machine or computer executable instructions. Theinstructions can be used to cause a general purpose or special purposesystem, which is programmed with the instructions, to perform the stepsof the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Alternatively, thesteps of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may beperformed by specific hardware components that contain hard-wired logicfor performing the steps, or by any combination of programmed computercomponents and custom hardware components.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shownand described, it will be obvious to those of ordinary skills in the artthat based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may bemade without departing from this exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention and its broader aspects. Therefore, the appended claims areintended to encompass within their scope all such changes andmodifications as are within the true spirit and scope of this exemplaryembodiments of the present invention.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A method for adjusting conference settings during aconference, the method comprising: initiating a display of conferencesettings on a device for a conference, the conference settings based onprior conference settings applied during a prior conference; receiving arequest to enter a break mode for the conference; and joining the deviceto the conference using the conference settings, wherein an iconassociated with the device indicates that the device is on a break. 22.The method of claim 21, wherein initiating the display of the conferencesettings occurs during the prior conference.
 23. The method of claim 21,wherein joining the device to the conference immediately follows leavingthe prior conference.
 24. The method of claim 21, wherein the conferencesettings include a first setting to request the break mode.
 25. Themethod of claim 24, wherein the conference settings include a secondsetting to indicate a duration of the break mode.
 26. The method ofclaim 21, wherein the icon indicates a duration of the break mode. 27.The method of claim 21, wherein the device is automatically joined tothe conference when the conference starts and wherein the device isjoined to the conference with an audio input of the device muted.
 28. Adevice comprising a communications interface; a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium; and one or more processors communicativelycoupled to the communications interface and the non-transitorycomputer-readable medium, the one or more processor configured toexecute processor-executable instructions stored in the non-transitorycomputer-readable medium to: initiate a display of conference settingsfor a conference, the conference settings based on prior conferencesettings applied during a prior conference; receive a request to enter abreak mode for the conference; and join the device to the conferenceusing the conference settings, wherein an icon associated with thedevice indicates that the device is on a break.
 29. The device of claim28, wherein initiating the display of the conference settings occursduring the prior conference.
 30. The device of claim 28, wherein joiningthe device to the conference immediately follows leaving the priorconference.
 31. The device of claim 28, wherein the conference settingsinclude a first setting to request the break mode.
 32. The device ofclaim 31, wherein the conference settings include a second setting toindicate a duration of the break mode.
 33. The device of claim 28,wherein the icon indicates a duration of the break mode.
 34. The deviceof claim 28, wherein the device is automatically joined to theconference when the conference starts and wherein the device is joinedto the conference with an audio input of the device muted.
 35. Anon-transitory computer-readable medium comprising processor-executableinstructions configured to cause one or more processors to: initiate adisplay of conference settings on a device for a conference, theconference settings based on prior conference settings applied during aprior conference; receive a request to enter a break mode for theconference; and join the device to the conference using the conferencesettings, wherein an icon associated with the device indicates that thedevice is on a break.
 36. The non-transitory computer-readable medium ofclaim 35, wherein initiating the display of the conference settingsoccurs during the prior conference.
 37. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 35, wherein joining the device to theconference immediately follows leaving the prior conference.
 38. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 35, wherein theconference settings include a setting to indicate a duration of thebreak mode.
 39. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 35,wherein the icon indicates a duration of the break mode.
 40. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 35, wherein the deviceis automatically joined to the conference when the conference starts andwherein the device is joined to the conference with an audio input ofthe device muted.